Pope Francis invited 44 transgenders to lunch at the Vatican luncheon

Pope Francis hosted a group of transgender women (many of whom are sex workers) to a Vatican luncheon for the Catholic Church's "World Day of the Poor" last week.
The Vatican released a document earlier this month affirming that individuals suffering from gender-identity disorders are allowed to be baptized or be named as godparents under specific circumstances and that nothing in church law prevents gay or transgender people from serving as witnesses in Catholic weddings.